Editor's Note: Monday’s American Morning generated heated opinion on both sides of the health care debate. Most believed town hall disruptions were orchestrated by Republicans, insurance, and pharmaceutical companies. Others suggested that the U.S. democracy was founded on civil disobedience and Americans should be heard.
- Carole: The loud protests at the town meetings, are due to people wanting answers as to that is in the health care reform bill. People are scared that interests are not being taken into consideration. They want their questions answered. The majority of people I talk to do not want the government involved in telling them what medication or medical procedures they can and cannot have. The seniors in this country are the backbone of its structure and need to be taken care of and not just given end of life consultation.
- Allan: Your stories on the heated healthcare discussions at town hall meetings this morning advanced the idea that the anger was "organized" and implied in the interview with Sen. Brad Miller that it is not legitimate. Why not? Our elected President started his career as a "community organizer". His job was to organize events, just like the town hall meetings, for the Democrats. Why are today’s events different than Obama's events? It seems that in the CNN world, organized protest is only ok and legitimate if the Democrat Party is doing it.
- Aljoy2: The whole problem with healthcare reform is this in a nutshell. The media has given huge coverage to the Republican talking points that are designed to kill healthcare reform and destroy the President of the United States. The Insurance companies are backing their efforts to continue their billions of profit. The undercurrent that is showing up primarily at the town halls began with extreme conservatives who are fundamentally racist against the Obama administration. They were clueless in terms of any facts. They did not even know Medicare was a government run organization that they hugely benefiting from while there are people like me who have nothing. Now it has all turned into true chaos with no one benefiting. Every time a Republican talks, put a truth o meter on what they have to say. Especially put one on dangerous Sarah Palin who exploits her family every humanly way possible for attention, power and political gain. She incites and she is dangerous and she is without knowledge and truth. She is just popular among the extreme right.
- Larry: These orchestrated disruptions aren't protests. The Republican Brown Shirts are intentionally trying to suppress truth and democratic processes, spreading lies in service of their masters at insurance and pharmaceutical companies.
- Barbara: I believe both sides deserve to have their questions asked and answered at the town hall meetings. One side is making sure that no questions are asked or answered. This is not fair to the health care debate. These people should not be allowed to disrupt the town hall meetings.
- Sylvia: People and CNN need to start reminding ourselves that Obama was elected on a platform of HealthCare Reform!! Loosen up and do your homework. He is trying to do what he promised and those Blue Dogs should do likewise!!
Some suggested insurance fraud should be addressed first, before radically changing health care. Others saw insurance restrictions as unfair.
- Joe: Please do the research that everyone is missing regarding the Health Care reform. I am an insurance broker in NJ and I am required to take continuing education classes in order to sell insurance in NJ. One course I just took was on Medicare fraud in the USA. I was told that there is $678 Million dollars of FRAUD committed EVERY DAY. I was hoping that CNN will confirm this as it relates to the Governments ability to deliver health care to us. My question is why would we want to trust healthcare for all of s UNDER TE AG OF 65 to a Government with that kind of massive mismanagement?? Please report this to the public as it is a question that must be answered. Political spin about town meetings are good news stories but a business approach to this will address the mismanagement first before we invest the medical care of our families and the financial well being to those who have no abilities to do it right.
- Bruce: I hate my Health Insurance company (WPS). My premiums go up and up. Pre-existing conditions are not covered. If I want to lower my premium by upping my deductible I will have a long list of additional pre-existing conditions. This is not fair. It is a sin with what they are getting away with. I can't find any of my friends satisfied with their health insurance carrier either! Those friends of mine on Medicare are happy!!!
Do you believe that health care fraud should be addressed before any changes are made in our current health care system? How do you feel about the way you are currently treated by your health care provider? Do you feel that your current plan has too many restrictions, or does it provide you all that is necessary?